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JUL-AUG 2017

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J U L Y / A U G U S T 2 0 1 7
THE POPULATION OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO is a little over
2 million residents. at lends perspective to the fact that about 1 mil-
lion people visit Albuquerque during the nine-day Albuquerque Inter-
national Balloon Fiesta, so "there's a lot of activity," said Brenna Moore,
public relations and communications manager for Visit Albuquerque.
"It's quite exciting; everybody loves that time of year," she said. "You
see balloons right outside your window every morning."
Every October, teams from around the world descend on the city to
ascend from the 360-acre Balloon Fiesta Park, the launching place for
balloons and the stomping grounds for visitors. Daily events include
mass ascensions, races, competitions, "glowdeos," laser shows and fire-
works displays. e adjacent Anderson-Abruzzo International Balloon
Museum just opened a new 4-D theater and will soon open an interac-
tive weather lab, Moore said.
Some balloons can hold more than a dozen people, although rides
should be reserved well in advance. On the ground, groups can sign up
to help inflate balloons or be part of a chase crew.
Several other events coincide with the Balloon Fiesta. e Indian
Pueblo Cultural Center's two-day Albuquerque American Indian Arts
Festival features 50 Native American artists, and the Rio Grande Arts
and Crafts Festival runs during both fiesta weekends. Old Town Al-
buquerque becomes its own festival with live music and daily walking
tours of the historic quarter.
W W W . V I S I T A L B U Q U E R Q U E . O R G
ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO
Courtesy MarbleStreetStudio.com
A L B U Q U E R Q U E I N T E R N A T I O N A L
B A L L O O N F I E S T A
SHAKE, RATTLE AND EAT!
JUST WEST OF INDY
Take your group back to the 1950s at the historic
Oasis Diner. With tenderloins as big as your head
and made-from-scratch biscuits and gravy on the
menu, it's a crowd pleaser. This Indiana Landmark
is one of just a handful of diners remaining on the
Historic National Road!
FOR MORE ON THIS AND OTHER GROUP-FRIENDLY ATTRACTIONS:
Groups@VisitHendricksCounty.com | 8 0 0 -3 2 1 - 9 6 6 6
VisitHendricksCounty.com/Groups